The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1887-04-16

town in which the State Asylum was
located, and as l expressed desire to
visit it, an accommodating young
newspaper man, 'was only too happy
to drive me out. But il happened that
the day on which l elected to so, was
one on which visitors We're not re-
ceived. But this accommodating young
man teiephoned and gained permission,
such is the power of the press, you
know, Steph. Now, if l only could
have known that somewhere else in
the same city the President had also
been telephoned that patient, young
lady, would be brought out that same
day, and arrangements made to receive
her But mine was a sadder fate than
the 'the mixing of the babies up in
Pinafore. We were greeted with great
we arrived. There was some talk about
the weather, and the beauties of the
grounds. l was even presented with a
lovely bouquet of exotics from the
green house. But all the while l was
uneasiIy conscious of being watched by
the blaud, be-spectacled, and grave
gentleman. Finally, the young geutle-
man rose, and said something about
my being a member Of the newspaper
fraternity, and that we were grateful
for courtesies received, but rs l was
about to leave the city, we would have
to be going. Steph, you should have
seen the great Doctors face! l was
struck dumb with horror, as it flashed
upon me that had been taken for the
young lady patient. He bowed us out
as best he could, but could not breathe
freely until we had left those beautiful
but attempting grounds behind us. !
dropped the lovely bunch OF flowers,
as if they were serpents, into the dusty
road. All, well have often wondered
how much the grea, man had made of
my case before he discovered his mis-
take! You can't beat that one, can
you?'
Stephanie shook her head.
81 hope not,' she replied with much
emphasis. II yield you the palm in
this experience meeting without even
entering against you"
Both girls were silent for awhile,
each busy with their own thoughts.
Presently, Peggoty looked across at
her friend who sat full under the gas
light with lowered lashes, slipping a
ring with small diamond in it, which
flashed like IA dew drop, off and on her
slender forefinger.
"And now, Steph, apropos of expe-
riences, l want to ask you something;
and as we have all our lives been loyal
and true friends, l hope that you will
not think me simply curious and inn
pertinent. 1 heard, 1 shall not say how
nor where, that you left your heart in
the highlands Of North Carolina, when
you came away. know that one can
hear great many things"
She stopped and leaned eagerly for
ward in her chair. but Stephanie was
eyeing the toe of her slipper with great
attention; her face was in shadow.
Peg could draw nothing from it, but
her silence was, TO say the least, sus-
picious.
"Oh, Sieph! Steph! Is it so, then:l
Won't you tell me something about it?I
| never had a genuine love affair in all
my life" pathetically. 81 wish could
see him; only I know he is not half
good enough for you. Stephanie
Byrne," still profound silence, "if you
don't say son'cthi,y Pll come over there
and shake you ~
"Why, what can say, Peg? You've
fixed it all up to suit yourself. What a
girl you are to jump at conclusions.'
But she was flushing rosily as she
spoke, and she could not meet the eyes
Of her delighted and aumiring friend.
ar you viii! not tell me anything,
shall guess and you shall answer me.
He is a blonde, tall, fine eyes, and yell
low hair ?'-
"NU; red" SIephanie objected family.
"Thars bad," continued ner candid
tormentor; "but maybe it is Titan
red? We will hope so, at all events,
OF course he is very bright and smart,
that goes without saying, and is,
should guess, editor OF weekly paper"